First off, I loved this piece. It made me excited to read it and it left my imagination churning.
To that end, I would offer a take that occurred to me while reading this fantastic piece:
There’s another structural element at play. It’s that the film is bookended by a pair of near-death experiences by Luke. In the ice cave against the Wampa, Luke is able to focus, and channel the force to retrieve his lightsaber. And then what does he do? He CUTS OFF THE WAMPA’S ARM.
Moreover, it’s important to note that while Luke may have called out to Ben Kenobi, it’s Obi-Wan who reaches out to him.
And yet this near-death experience really doesn’t change Luke.
Instead, it’s Luke’s abject failure against Darth Vader that changes him. It’s having HIS arm cut off that changes him (literally and metaphorically).
Then, after escaping death a second time, it’s Luke’s actual father who replaces the father figure of Obi-Wan.
This new dynamic is cemented when Luke receives his new robot arm - just like Dad.
But unlike the Wampa cave, this time we see that Luke is changed. And because of that, the film ends with hope.
Love every word of this post. Thank you for elevating a work of art that often gets overlooked.
There is another seed of cautious optimism and a new hope and it might be my favorite scene in the whole movie.
As Luke just leaves Dagobah prematurely, Obi-Wan says, “That boy is our last hope.” Yoda replies, “No… there is another.” That single line, paired with the shifting light on Yoda’s face, plants the perfect seed of cautious optimism. Like you said, even in apparent defeat, the fairytale renews. Gives me goosebumps every time.
I think too much discussion about "the classics" can be elitist and hyper-focused on works of antiquity, and ignore the value of modern classics. I want to cover both, and treat pop culture as high art.
You are so correct!! Both Shakespeare and Dickens were popular entertainers before they were canonized and too often literary culture is concerned with the notion of "high art" but that high art is only occasionally what actually endures in our culture.
There is enormous artistry present in this film, as you rightly point out, and it endures in the popular imagination. Thank you for this!
"... and the biggest exolosions are emotional." Which underscores the importance of John Williams' music. Without the music the film would have no more emotional power than reading a comic book version.
The swell of the score when Yoda pulls the X-Wing out of the swamp is one of my favorite parts of the entire film. Gives me goosebumps every single time.
Imo the best line: “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
Fish or cut bait. Don’t be half-committed. There is no Plan B.
The sequence contrasts Luke’s impatience and impulsiveness with the need to put the time in and do the work. Ultimately he falls victim to the trap that was laid for him, and reaches his nadir after being beaten by Vader and then crushed with revelation.
What a great piece, Clifton! I find myself in the weird position of not being a Star Wars fan, but very much respecting and admiring what the (original) series has accomplished. It's not my cup of tea, but I have to concede that it's expertly crafted, as you pointed out so well.
Excellent work. These stories, coupled with John Williams’ genius composition have been the storylines and the soundtracks of my young adult life. I feel extremely fortunate to have had (and still have) the opportunity to experience them.
I'll need to rewatch it. I saw it in theatres and haven't seen it since. But I do remember thinking it was the most substantive film of the prequel trilogy.
If you want moral complexity, watch Deep Space Nine. That’s probably the most complex story in the Star Trek franchise. Almost never has easy answers to ethical questions. Whether it’s race, religion, politics or any other issue.
My upcoming piece on it is entitled The Problem With Utopia.
I love both Star Trek and Star Wars. The films of Star Trek are pretty underwhelming, even at their best. For pure cinematic joy, the original Star Wars trilogy, and the Empire Strikes Back particularly, are really hard to beat.
Star Trek's genius lies in the way it creates this universe of exploration and the moral dilemmas it creates. Through the series, especially The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager, really big philosophical questions are posed with deep world building and engaging characters. It's great but in a totally different way than Star Wars. It's a lot more to watch though.
Pretty great conceptually, but the execution really drops the ball. Still, I appreciate them for actually attempting to build something on to the original films. Despite respecting Lucas' ambition, I really wish the phrase midichlorian count had never been uttered.
It's amazing how challenging really good story is. Like being the truest version of yourself, honesty is all important. Art requires that the artist cuts through all the b.s. to do what they know is true.
First off, I loved this piece. It made me excited to read it and it left my imagination churning.
To that end, I would offer a take that occurred to me while reading this fantastic piece:
There’s another structural element at play. It’s that the film is bookended by a pair of near-death experiences by Luke. In the ice cave against the Wampa, Luke is able to focus, and channel the force to retrieve his lightsaber. And then what does he do? He CUTS OFF THE WAMPA’S ARM.
Moreover, it’s important to note that while Luke may have called out to Ben Kenobi, it’s Obi-Wan who reaches out to him.
And yet this near-death experience really doesn’t change Luke.
Instead, it’s Luke’s abject failure against Darth Vader that changes him. It’s having HIS arm cut off that changes him (literally and metaphorically).
Then, after escaping death a second time, it’s Luke’s actual father who replaces the father figure of Obi-Wan.
This new dynamic is cemented when Luke receives his new robot arm - just like Dad.
But unlike the Wampa cave, this time we see that Luke is changed. And because of that, the film ends with hope.
I love this, thank you.
It really is a great piece, Clifton. It’s one of the best things (and most enjoyable things) I’ve ever read on Substack.
Love every word of this post. Thank you for elevating a work of art that often gets overlooked.
There is another seed of cautious optimism and a new hope and it might be my favorite scene in the whole movie.
As Luke just leaves Dagobah prematurely, Obi-Wan says, “That boy is our last hope.” Yoda replies, “No… there is another.” That single line, paired with the shifting light on Yoda’s face, plants the perfect seed of cautious optimism. Like you said, even in apparent defeat, the fairytale renews. Gives me goosebumps every time.
I think too much discussion about "the classics" can be elitist and hyper-focused on works of antiquity, and ignore the value of modern classics. I want to cover both, and treat pop culture as high art.
Thank you for reading.
You are so correct!! Both Shakespeare and Dickens were popular entertainers before they were canonized and too often literary culture is concerned with the notion of "high art" but that high art is only occasionally what actually endures in our culture.
There is enormous artistry present in this film, as you rightly point out, and it endures in the popular imagination. Thank you for this!
I'm so glad you get it 🙏🏿
Great analysis of a great movie, by far the best of the Star Wars.
(I stopped watching them when the Ewoks appeared...I'm a grown-ass man! ;;))
I liked the Ewoks. They had their own primitive creature wisdom. And they kicked some Imperial Walker ass! 😉
"... and the biggest exolosions are emotional." Which underscores the importance of John Williams' music. Without the music the film would have no more emotional power than reading a comic book version.
The swell of the score when Yoda pulls the X-Wing out of the swamp is one of my favorite parts of the entire film. Gives me goosebumps every single time.
Me too. I think about that scene a lot.
Imo the best line: “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
Fish or cut bait. Don’t be half-committed. There is no Plan B.
The sequence contrasts Luke’s impatience and impulsiveness with the need to put the time in and do the work. Ultimately he falls victim to the trap that was laid for him, and reaches his nadir after being beaten by Vader and then crushed with revelation.
What a great piece, Clifton! I find myself in the weird position of not being a Star Wars fan, but very much respecting and admiring what the (original) series has accomplished. It's not my cup of tea, but I have to concede that it's expertly crafted, as you pointed out so well.
Excellent work. These stories, coupled with John Williams’ genius composition have been the storylines and the soundtracks of my young adult life. I feel extremely fortunate to have had (and still have) the opportunity to experience them.
Now we need a post on the revenge of the sith
I'll need to rewatch it. I saw it in theatres and haven't seen it since. But I do remember thinking it was the most substantive film of the prequel trilogy.
Just got some Déjà vu so many I’ve commented about this before to you. But the movie is more or less a Greek tragedy.
Camille Paglia loved it too, so it's definitely worth revisiting!
only the hottest fire can purify gold, harden steel until it won't break, yes?
iykyk. peace
Interesting view of Empire. I'm not a huge fan of it personally, always been a bigger Star Trek fan, but I can see where you're coming from with this.
I'm glad you still took the time to read.
I'll need to explore more Star Trek.
If you want moral complexity, watch Deep Space Nine. That’s probably the most complex story in the Star Trek franchise. Almost never has easy answers to ethical questions. Whether it’s race, religion, politics or any other issue.
My upcoming piece on it is entitled The Problem With Utopia.
Just subscribed. I'll be looking out for it.
Fantastic, I look forward to your thoughts. If you’re interested, I previously wrote about the show already:
https://tvphilosophy.substack.com/p/star-trek-deep-space-nine-cyclical-history
I love both Star Trek and Star Wars. The films of Star Trek are pretty underwhelming, even at their best. For pure cinematic joy, the original Star Wars trilogy, and the Empire Strikes Back particularly, are really hard to beat.
Star Trek's genius lies in the way it creates this universe of exploration and the moral dilemmas it creates. Through the series, especially The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager, really big philosophical questions are posed with deep world building and engaging characters. It's great but in a totally different way than Star Wars. It's a lot more to watch though.
Great movie indeed. Wish Lucas had succeeded with the follow on movies
Pretty great conceptually, but the execution really drops the ball. Still, I appreciate them for actually attempting to build something on to the original films. Despite respecting Lucas' ambition, I really wish the phrase midichlorian count had never been uttered.
Totally agree about midichlorian count. Lucas destroyed any mysticism around “The Force” with that
It's amazing how challenging really good story is. Like being the truest version of yourself, honesty is all important. Art requires that the artist cuts through all the b.s. to do what they know is true.
https://shapeofcinema.substack.com/p/the-empire-strikes-back-1980?r=8dbojf
https://shapeofcinema.substack.com/p/the-empire-strikes-back-1980?r=8dbojf
The “Luke, I am your father” shit betrayed the promise of the first movie and has permanently hobbled the franchise ever since…